In 2013, it will be more of the same. The defense returns only five starters, and they will struggle to stop the explosive offenses in the Big 12. The offense will be solid, but they will not be as productive without Tavon Austin, Geno Smith and Stedman Bailey this season.

BCS Chances: 2%

It takes both offense and defense playing at an elite level to make a BCS game. WVU will not have the defense to win the Big 12.

48. Auburn Tigers

Some will laugh that Auburn has made the top 50, and others will be annoyed that they are ranked so low.

Wherever you stand, remember that this team is still young and plays in the toughest division in America.

Yes, Gus Malzahn will have Auburn competing for conference titles again in a few years, but he will need some time.

For the Tigers, they will need to start improving their defense in 2013. The Tigers return eight starters on that side of the ball, which could be a good thing (they will have experience) or a bad thing (they were last in the SEC in rushing defense last season).

Either way, if the defense does not step up, an offense loaded with young talent does not have the skill to carry this team.

Neither quarterback Kiehl Frazier nor Jonathan Wallace, is going to light up the SEC, but if one of them establishes some sort of consistency, a bowl game is a possibility.

BCS Chances: 3%

The talent is there for this team to make a run at a BCS game...in 2015.

45. Tulsa Golden Hurricane

The good news for Tulsa is that Shawn Jackson and Demarco Nelson are back on defense.

The bad news is that they are two of only three returning starters on that side of the ball.

Kick returner Trey Watts is some kind of special, and he will provide plenty of highlights, while quarterback Cody Green and running backs Trey Watts and Ja’Terian Douglas will keep the ground game rolling.

It is difficult to see the Golden Hurricane duplicating last season's 11 wins, though, and there are few teams that will challenge them within the conference in 2013.

44. Baylor Bears

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2012 Record: 8-5

After the departure of RG3, some questioned how well Art Briles' offense would function last season.

Finishing second in the nation in total offense, fourth in scoring offense and fourth in passing offense is what they did. This was all under the leadership of quarterback Nick Florence, who finished behind some guy named Manziel in terms of total offense in 2012.

Florence is gone, but the rushing attack is going to be ridiculous in 2013, as Lache Seastrunk gets to operate behind a talented and experienced offensive line.

Seastrunk has boasted that he will win the Heisman, and with that offensive line and his talent, he could.

The Big 12 is going to be a mess with no clear-cut favorite going into the season, so why not Baylor?

BCS Chances: 25%

If Art Briles can get some production out of the quarterback position, and if the defense can figure out how to tackle, the Bears have a slim chance at competing for the conference crown—very slim.

43. BYU Cougars

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2012 Record: 8-5

BYU football is always going to deal with the unique challenges created from players leaving the team to complete missions for the church, but in 2013, there is enough talent returning to make some noise.

This season, much like 2012, the Cougars are going to be an excellent defensive unit, but they will struggle on offense.

At quarterback, Taysom Hill is healthy, and he will start for Bronco Mendenhall's team.

The dual-threat quarterback adds another dimension to the offense, but it is a stretch to see this team winning more than nine games this season.

Kyle Van Noy is back at linebacker to anchor the defense, and he will be one of the best defenders in the nation.

Still, this BYU team is a long way from landing in a BCS game.

BCS Chances: 10%

Fewer than 11 wins will prevent the Cougars from reaching a BCS game, and that number is not going to happen in 2013.

40. Ohio Bobcats

The Bobcats' defense was deep in 2013, and that depth will help this season, as six starters are leaving.

The defense only needs to be adequate, as the offense is going to be extremely good.

Quarterback Tyler Tettleton returns, as does leading receiver Donte Foster and running back Beau Blankenship.

The offensive line had to replace two starters, but they appeared solid in spring practice.

This team has a shot at running the table after their initial contest against Louisville.

It's a long-shot, but it is possible.

BCS Chances: 12%

This team will go as far as Tettleton can carry them. Last season, the offense collapsed late in the season. If they are going to finish the season ranked near the top of the BCS rankings, he will have to avoid such a collapse again this year.

39. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Paul Johnson's squad has an excellent shot at returning to the ACC title game in 2013, this time on their own merit.

17 starters are returning, including Vlad Lee, who emerged last season as an excellent option to run Johnson's triple option offense.

Four starters on the offensive line are back, as are all the starting linebackers.

While not extremely diverse, the offense is going to chew up yardage, especially with a ton of experience and talent returning.

BCS Chances: 45%

With a few breaks, Tech will be in the ACC title game, and one win puts them in a BCS game. It's still a long-shot, but don't be surprised to look up in December and see the Yellow Jackets heading to a BCS game.

35. Oregon State Beavers

This team spent some time in the top-10 last season, and they have a load of returning starters to try and duplicate that success this season.

Scott Crichton will be a force from his defensive end position, and if Mike Riley can figure out the quarterback position, the Beavers have double-digit win potential.

The trouble with all these aspirations is the level of competition within the division.

Stanford and Oregon are both top-10 schools, and they will battle it out until the end of the season for a shot at the Pac-12 title game.

Don't write off Oregon State completely because they could surprise people again like last season. Still, the chances that they beat out their in-state rival and an up-and-coming Stanford team are slim.

BCS Chances: 27.5%

Oregon and Stanford. Those are the barriers to O-State making a BCS game.

30. Miami Hurricanes

Al Golden's team has a perfect opportunity to seize control of the ACC and reestablish the program as a contender for the conference title once again.

Ten starters are returning to each side of the ball, including 10 starters on an offense that averaged 54 points a game in each of the Hurricanes' last three contests of 2012.

Stephen Morris gets to operate at quarterback behind a deep and talented offensive line, and the experience on this side of the ball coupled with the explosive athletic ability possessed at the skill positions is a scary combination.

Defensively, there is concern, as the 'Canes couldn't stop anybody last season. However, you have to believe that having all but three players return to the defensive two-deep can only lead to good things.

BCS Chances: 50%

The 'Canes are one of the most intriguing teams going into 2013. With a little improvement on defense, they will run to the ACC title game. Without it, another mediocre season is in the works.

With a transition of that edge to the football field, he will make a big splash in the Pac-12 in 2013.

The entire defensive line returns, including Will Sutton, the best defensive lineman in the nation not named Jadeveon Clowney.

With eight starters returning on offense and a strong defensive line anchoring the defense, ASU will compete for the Pac-12 South title.

BCS Chances: 35%

While it would be nice to be able to say that the Sun Devils have an excellent shot at a BCS game, that would be a lie. Even if they make it to the Pac-12 title game, the chances that they will beat anyone in the North division are slim.

26. Michigan State Spartans

The Spartans are going to be the team that flies under the radar heading into the season and takes people by surprise with early successes.

Eight starters return to the Big Ten's best defense, and although Johnny Adams and William Gholston are gone, this is still an extremely talented group.

Mark Dantonion has done a tremendous job of developing this unit into a team that can compete for a conference title.

If a quarterback can step up and be consistent, the Spartans are going to make a run at the conference title in 2013.

BCS Chances: 45%

While the road to the Big Ten title game is long and hard, the Spartan defense is such that it will keep them in every game. If there is one thing that we have learned from the SEC's run of national titles, it's that great teams are based off defense. Watch out for these Spartans.

24. Ole Miss Rebels

Ole Miss is a real option to finish third in the SEC West, after Alabama and Texas A&M.

While this seems to be a bit of a low expectation, it's difficult to beat Alabama—just ask Notre Dame.

The Rebels return nine starters on each side of the ball. This includes quarterback Bo Wallace, who struggled with injury and accuracy last season, but still has the talent to be an excellent quarterback.

Hugh Freeze has the talent to make a surprise run in the SEC, but not enough to make a BCS game without a major act of God.

BCS Chances: 35%

The SEC is too loaded for Ole Miss to be one of two teams from the SEC that make a BCS game.

20. Nebraska Cornhuskers

Things looked good for the Huskers heading into last season's Big Ten title game against Wisconsin.

Then they got steamrolled, and followed that up with a loss to a very good Georgia squad in their bowl meeting.

In Taylor Martinez' final season as a Husker, he is going to put up monster numbers, both with his legs and through the air.

He's worked to improve his throwing motion every season, and he will be even better at throwing the ball in 2013 than he has been to date.

Ameer Abdullah has the talent to be one of the top running backs in the Big Ten, while Kenny Bell is an incredible weapon at wide receiver.

BCS Chances: 75%

Here's the thing: the Huskers will make it to the Big Ten title game as long as they can patch up a defense that is missing loads of talent. They have tons of talent at the offensive skill positions, and they can beat every team in the Big Ten, with the possible exception of Wisconsin or Ohio State.

16. Michigan Wolverines

The Wolverines are again just short of the talent it will take to win the conference.

Devin Gardner will take over at quarterback, and in spite of opinions one way or the other, Gardner's body of work is not sufficient enough yet to judge him either a Heisman contender or a bust.

Brady Hoke needs to find some replacements on defense, but the unit has the basis for an excellent season if linebacker Jake Ryan is completely healthy entering the season.

The secondary is deep and talented, but the offensive line needs some playmakers to step up if the Wolverines are going to compete for a Big Ten title.

BCS Chances: 60%

The Wolverines are talented, and with a few breaks, they could easily make the Big Ten title game. Should they not get consistent production from Gardner nor find some playmakers to produce on defense, it's going to be tough to compete.

15. Florida State Seminoles

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2012 Record: 12-2

There is no denying that Florida State had an excellent season in 2012, capped off with a BCS bowl win.

It ends there.

The Seminoles are going to have a tough time beating out Clemson in the ACC's Atlantic Division next season, as the Tigers are loaded and the 'Noles will be starting redshirt freshman Jameis Winston at quarterback along with a completely revamped defense.

In 2013, FSU will regress, if only a little bit, before returning to the head of the ACC pack in 2014.

BCS Chances: 50%

Given the lack of competition for the BCS title outside of Clemson in the ACC, FSU does have a decent shot at finishing with a double-digit win season and an ACC crown in 2013.

14. UCLA Bruins

UCLA was one win away from the Rose Bowl, thanks to the tremendous play of freshman quarterback Brett Hundley and recently departed running back Johnathan Franklin.

Hundley will be even more effective this season, as the Bruins' offensive line will be improved and will not allow 52 sacks like they did last season.

Jim Mora already has this team headed the right direction, and with another offseason to gel and get his system into place, the Bruins will again be at the top of the Pac-12 South looking down come season's end.

BCS Chances: 45%

Sure, if the Bruins can reach the Pac-12 title game, it's a one game playoff from there for a run at the Roses. But that playoff will come against either Oregon or Stanford, which is not an easy proposition.

10. South Carolina Gamecocks

South Carolina brings back defensive end Jadeveon Clowney. That is all that needs to be said.

Clowney impacts that game like no defensive player in the college ranks today, and he will be a nightmare all season long to contain.

But football is a team game, and the rest of the defense is very young. Steve Spurrier has to replace all three linebackers and most of his secondary.

The SEC East has been one of the most interesting divisions to watch in recent years, as South Carolina, Florida and Georgia have duked it out for supremacy.

This year will be much of the same, with the Bulldogs holding the slight edge.

BCS Chances: 75%

If it weren't for restrictions on the number of teams from one conference that can participate in BCS games, we could just pencil in the Gamecocks along with the rest of the top-six teams in the SEC. As it stands, they will have a hard time fending off Georgia, Alabama and Florida for a berth.

6. Georgia Bulldogs

With quarterback Aaron Murray returning to lead the offense, and with Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall back to pound the rock, this team is going to move the ball pretty much at will.

The beginning of the season is going to be very rocky, as defensive coordinator Todd Grantham will have to replace nine starters from his unit. Plus, the first two games on the schedule are against Clemson and South Carolina.

Even if the 'Dawgs lose both of those contests, don't be surprised if they run the table the rest of the way, all the way to a BCS title game.

A third-straight loss in that game would be tough to handle, but it's difficult to see Georgia beating Alabama or Texas A&M this season.

BCS Chances: 75%

Before Georgia fans have a stroke, remember that Clemson is going to be very good, and playing South Carolina that early in the season is going to be a nightmare. If the 'Dawgs get at least a split of those two, expect a very real shot at a BCS berth. If not, it's going to be a tough road.

5. Louisville Cardinals

Yes, that 11-2 record included a victory over Florida to close out the season, but it also included losses to Syracuse and UConn.

The biggest challenge for Charlie Strong's team in 2013 will be to remain focused and consistent.

As members for one final season of the conference formerly known as the Big East, the Cardinals have an opportunity to make a statement.

The level of competition they face can best be described as weak, and with quarterback Teddy Bridgewater leading the way, they will need to rough up every opponent in order to get any respect on a national level.

The Cards are going to have a very real shot at running the table and possibly slipping into the national title game.

Even if they don't, they are going to win the American Athletic Conference, there is just nobody in the conference good enough to compete in 2013.

BCS Chances: 98%

Outside of Tuscaloosa, there is no team more likely to make a BCS game.

4. Stanford Cardinal

Stanford finished 2012 as Pac-12 and Rose Bowl champions, and they were quite possibly the most overlooked team in college football.

2013 is looking great for Stanford, as well. Kevin Hogan is back at quarterback and will be protected by one of the most talented offensive lines in football.

Anthony Wilkerson and Tyler Gaffney will be able to produce enough at the running back position to ease the pain felt by the loss of Stepfan Taylor, while the defense returns enough depth to make this team a legitimate threat to run the table.

If Hogan continues to progress as he did in 2012, the Cardinal will be a top-five team to close out the season, and they will earn a BCS berth with ease.

BCS Chances: 90%

The talent on this team is underrated. Hogan was a pleasant surprise last season, and he will continue to be a force at quarterback for David Shaw.

2. Ohio State Buckeyes

Whine all you want about easy schedules and lack of competition, but the Buckeyes were the only team to finish without a loss in 2012.

This season will be more of the same. The schedule is easier and the Buckeyes have more talent this season than they did last year.

Braxton Miller is back to lead the offense, and his ability to make the difficult plays look routine will continue into the season. He has Heisman written all over him, especially if the Buckeyes run the table again.

Defensive end Noah Spence had a tremendous spring practice, and he will be a star of the defense for his entire career.

If the Buckeyes don't make at least the Rose Bowl, it would be a major upset.

BCS Chances: 90%

With the mixture of experience and fresh young talent, Urban Meyer has a recipe for a run at a national title on his hands.

1. Alabama Crimson Tide

There is no denying that Alabama is the best football team in the nation coming out of the 2012 season, and until further notice, they will remain the best team heading into 2013.

The Tide are coming off consecutive national titles, and have an excellent chance of pulling off the three-peat and establishing Nick Saban as one of the greatest head coaches in college football history.

The barriers to success for the Tide lie in the first two games of the season.

Virginia Tech, although less than competent on offense, is no pushover, and Texas A&M will be the biggest game of the regular season.

With A.J. McCarron, Amari Cooper, T.J. Yeldon and Christion Jones returning to skill positions on the offense, it's going to be very difficult to beat a Tide team that will again be excellent defensively.

Another BCS berth for Alabama is as close to a sure thing as it gets in college football next season.

BCS Chances: 98.8%

It would be the biggest upset of the season if the Tide do not find their way into a BCS bowl game.